Radical cleric to remain in London jail after judge denies bail

LONDON, May 20 (UPI) -- A British judge Monday denied bail to radical cleric Abu Qatada, in jail since March for allegedly violating conditions of his bail.

The terror suspect, who recently said he would voluntarily leave Britain after years of fighting deportation to Jordan to stand retrial for terrorism, will remain in custody after the hearing of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in London, The Guardian reported.

During the hearing, Qatada's lawyer told the court the cleric expected to be acquitted of "tainted" terror charges once he's in Jordan.

Danny Friedman said a treaty between Britain and Jordan ensuring his client won't be tried based on evidence obtained by torture "substantially raises the prospect of acquittal in what we say are tainted charges."

Qatada faces retrial on terror charges in two bombings in the late 1990s for which he was convicted in absentia.

He challenged the decision to hold him pending ratification of the treaty secured by British Home Secretary Theresa May. Friedman told the court Qatada wanted to be placed under house arrest so he can prepare with his family for their return to Jordan.

The Guardian said London police are investigating Qatada for violating terms of his bail after officers found illegal cellphones, thumb drives and dozens of recordable CDs and DVDs in his home in March.

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